UPDATE 1-Tennis-ATP Tour Finals to stay in London until 2020

Reuters Staff

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LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - The season-ending ATP World Tour Finals will remain in London until 2020, the men’s governing body confirmed on Thursday.

Since moving to London’s cavernous O2 Arena, formerly known as the Millennium Dome, in 2009, the event -featuring the world’s top eight singles players and top eight doubles pairs - has been hugely successful. Two million fans have attended.

This year’s tournament will have new lead sponsors with Japanese firm Nitto Denko Corporation taking over from Barclays.

It will now be called the Nitto ATP Finals.

“We’re delighted to extend our stay in London and to have Nitto come on board as title sponsor over the next four years,” ATP chief Chris Kermode said in a statement.

London is a popular choice with players, especially as the Paris Masters falls shortly before the London decider.

Last year home favourite Andy Murray cemented the year-end number one ranking by beating Novak Djokovic, winner of the title four times in London, in the final.

Murray welcomed Thursday’s news.

“The crowds throughout the week for both the singles and doubles are second to none, and that makes this one of the most special events for the players,” he said. “It’s an amazing atmosphere and a great tournament to cap off the year.”

London will be the tournament’s longest-running host since its stay at New York’s Madison Square Garden from 1977 to 1989. Since then, it has been held in Hanover, Lisbon, Houston and Shanghai. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Mark Heinrich)